Thursday, June 20, 2013

It was the big story yesterday and I totally didn’t talk
about it. But you all already knew so why rehash the same stuff over and over
again? Well now that the push to “break the story first” has died down, we can
start analyzing Microsoft’s decision.

That’s a lot of links, and I didn’t even waver into FoxNews territory.
Though I’m sure they have a story too.
(Eh, close enough.)

Microsoft has decided to completely drop their non-DRM, DRM
policy. So no more of that 24-hour (or 1-hour if you’re on a friend’s XboxOne)
system check. There is a one-time initial set-up that does require an internet
connection, but that’s it. No more after that. Games can be played offline, just as you can with any system today. Now that is
a major win not only for us, but for a huge portion of Microsoft’s market, the military. Traded, borrowed, used games? Restrictions removed as well. You can play to
your hearts content without the system checking and spamming you for money just
to play a game you borrowed or purchased used.

Great! There are the things so many gamers were concerned
about and Microsoft listened to our feedback. While I do think that it’s a
little too late, and it will take effort for Microsoft to rebuild its brand,
this assurance to customers is quite nice. Guess what people? As consumers, we
have power! If enough of us make our voices known and provide a reasonable
response to something we don’t like, companies can change their products.

The internet memes will not die.
Sorry Microsoft.

Of course with the good comes the bad. Part of the reason
Microsoft had this non-DRM, DRM policy was to allow for a virtual library to be
available to consumers. Well now that’s gone. Apparently there isn’t a better
way to authenticate that you are the owner of said games without directly
connecting to the system every 24 hours. *shrugs* Also, the “share” game
feature will be out too. Since the used game market is back on the list, you
have to do it like we do now, or the old days, and physically hand your disc to
your friend and not have a digital version you can send to their system.

Truthfully, the exclusion of some features is fine by me.
While the lack of a travelling digital library seems silly considering how
simple it would be to set one up AND have a valid verification system, I’m
willing to accept that loss in order to remove their non-DRM, DRM policy. While
many of us are resigned to the PS4 since Sony gave us, well, everything we
wanted and expected without flip-flopping, Microsoft may just have a chance to
save themselves. Maybe not this holiday season, but next? Next year they might
have a chance. The system is still $100 more than the PS4 and now comes with
less features. The PS4, from a value standpoint, is offering more for less. Not
to play favorites, but Microsoft, you probably should have done some focus
groups before developing the XboxOne (still, a stupid, name).